Tie for Davis Cup, the renowned international team tennis competition, between Canada and Israel will be played out without spectators in Halifax
In an unusual turn of events, the Davis Cup World Group I tie between Canada and Israel will be played in a closed venue this weekend in Halifax. The decision, made in consultation with the International Tennis Federation, was taken due to escalating safety concerns flagged by local authorities and national security agencies.
The article, filed by Emily Baron Cadloff in Halifax, reports that more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urged Tennis Canada to cancel the tie over Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. However, Tennis Canada's decision to close the event was made to protect Canadians from serious threats.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs expressed disappointment over the closed-venue Davis Cup tie. They believe that hate, harassment, and intimidation made it unsafe to support the athletes in Canada. The Centre stated that the event's closure silenced thousands of fans who wanted to show pride in their country.
In a statement, Tennis Canada's chief executive officer, Gavin Ziv, called the outcome "very disappointing" but said the safety of athletes, fans, and staff takes top priority. Halifax Regional Police will have a presence at the event to support public safety, but for security reasons, they cannot provide any further operational details.
The tie, initially scheduled to be played at Scotiabank Centre, will now be held in a closed venue. Fans who purchased tickets for the tie will receive a full refund within 30 days. The winner of the Davis Cup tie will advance to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
The Davis Cup tie is being broadcast on TVA Sports and CBC's streaming services, allowing fans to still follow the action from the comfort of their homes. The Montreal-based human rights group, Palestinian and Jewish Unity, asked Mayor Valerie Plante to bar the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team from competing in Sunday's Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal, but it remains unclear whether threats were directed at the Israeli team.
The request to cancel the Israel-Canada Davis Cup World Group 1 match was made by the Canadian government due to security concerns. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs also expressed concern about the safety of the Israeli team, stating that they should not be held responsible for the actions of their government.
This development comes as a significant shift in the sports world, with the safety of participants and spectators becoming a paramount concern. The Davis Cup tie between Canada and Israel is set to begin this Friday and Saturday.
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